Catherine Osler

Catherine Osler

March 2008

As I write this, I am contemplating participating in 2 running races this spring, an 8K and a 10K, both being only a week apart!  Even as I am telling you, I can’t believe that I am even considering this!!  If you had asked me a year ago, I would have told you that I couldn’t even “run” 1K, let alone “race” two races back to back!  This all changed 15 months ago when I met Kristina. 

Being a 55 year old busy professional I had very little time to take care of myself.  As an international trainer, speaker, executive coach and an entrepreneur, my schedule can become so hectic that it is probably better suited to a professional 20 years younger.

I have difficulty saying “no” to work; it is even more difficult to say “yes” to taking care of me.  I did not have a regular fitness routine as I found it impossible to add exercise into my already hectic life.

My busy life was beginning to take its toll. My recreational activities (rowing, kayaking and sailing) were not compatible with the travel my career was demanding and I was searching for a way to combat fatigue.  I needed to stay focused and alert with my clients as well as stave off the affects of too many restaurant dinners.  When I see myself at 80 years old, I envision myself climbing in and out of my rowing shell with grace.  I have the desire to remain flexible, strong and agile throughout my entire life. 

It was this desire to maintain my flexibility, agility and strength which prompted me to start training with Kristina. When we met just before Christmas in 2006, my goals were to: find a training schedule that worked with my busy life, lose a few inches, and increase my strength, flexibility and energy.  Kristina designed a program that included weight training, core work, a walk/run program and a goal to climb the Grouse Grind in April! The program was designed for me to take on the road, at home or at my vacation property and in the gym. 

Here is the amazing part. What began as only 1 minute of running and 5 minutes of walking (repeated 5 times) slowly grew until one day I realized that I was running for 30 minutes, straight!! I had never run for 30 minutes before.  I never knew I could and honestly I didn’t even think that I had wanted to – until I actually did it! 

But funny enough, I still didn’t think of myself as a runner. In fact I couldn’t quite realize what I had accomplished.  But I also couldn’t ignore the achievement. It was awesome to realize what a consistent practice of getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other could do. I had never experienced the power of this kind of slow, steady, consistent practice. 

In June we hiked the Grouse Grind.  It was hard but I was ecstatic! And after that (with a great deal of encouragement from Kristina) I began training for my first 5KM race – the CIBC Run for the Cure in late September. I was nervous and excited. One part of me was saying “What are you thinking? You are not a runner!” But Kristina gently prodded, encouraged me and worked with me to build the foundation that was necessary to run 5km and to run it well. She encouraged me to see it as “my” race and to do the best “I” could. She told me to pay attention to my body and run “my” race not to race the person beside me which is hard for competitive types to do! I finished in 33 minutes.

Running is now something I can’t do without. Even when I am not training for a specific race, I run at least 3 days a week for 35 – 40 minutes. It has become as much a part of my life as eating and breathing. I love the way I feel, the way I look, my increased energy, the strength I have gained and my increased level of fitness and flexibility.  These were my original goals which I can proudly say that I have accomplished.

It is a whole new world out there as I continue to learn more about my body and what it can do. Every day I keep feeling better and stronger. Now my runs are the first thing to go on my schedule. 

It is Kristina’s goal to “help you find your inner athlete.” I originally thought her goal applied to everyone but me. But I was wrong. With wisdom, patience, compassion and thoughtfulness, Kristina worked with me in a way that was uniquely suited to me, my life, goals and abilities.   Not only did I complete the goals I had set in 2007 but without even realizing it, I also became a runner!

Gwen Rossen

Gwen Rossen

January 18, 2022

Zoom workouts with Kristina were a lifesaver when the pandemic started. I started Kristina’s classes via a close friend who had her as a personal trainer before moving away. The funny thing is that the pandemic makes those far away closer and those closer further away. 

When we discovered that working out together remotely was a possibility, it was a no-brainer! Kristina’s classes are challenging when you feel up to it but she is also very cognizant of injuries that she always has alternative suggestions for. Her encouraging and motivating style makes you want to show up to every class. I like the group setting and feel that it holds me accountable! 

Having said that, if something comes up and I need to miss a class, the classes are recorded! So it’s super convenient for me to do it the next day or later in the week.

Kristina is also very knowledgeable when it comes to physical training and muscle groups, focuses on form and always gives great advice. She’s approachable and always answers any questions I have in a timely manner. I honestly think it’s better than any workout class at the gym, and it saves me so much travel time!

Besides… that’s also the only way I get to see my buddy in NY!

Jaya Muzumdar

Jaya Muzumdar

The year 2012 was a very special year. My son Neil was getting married so there were lots of parties, invitations for dinners, etc. However at the end of the four months I found myself weighing 162 pounds and not being able to fit into most of my clothing! Ouch, that hurt. I went for my annual physical and there was more bad news!

My doctor warned me that I was up for diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and heart disease over the next ten years if I did not lose the excess weight “NOW”!! He advised me to get a personal trainer and also told me how to find one. At that point I had only heard about personal trainers but had no experience with them nor had I ever entered a gym in my life!

As my doctor had advised me, I came home and googled ‘Personal Trainer Vancouver’. Up came a list of names, the first one was “Get fit with Kris”. I picked up the phone and a week later was at the gym having my first consultation with her. The following week I was training once a week. The week after that, I had lost 3 kgs and decided to stay working with Kristina and increased my sessions to 3 times a week.

Three months later, I had lost 10 kgs. My doctor had given me six months to get rid of the weight and asked me to come back for blood tests. And guess what??  All my readings had come back down to normal. Blood sugar/pressure was now normal. HDL levels had risen because of the cardio exercises and LDL/Triglycerides levels had lowered. My ECG was absolutely normal. My doctor was amazed at what I had achieved in just about 4 months of training with Kristina!!

I know for a fact that I could not have achieved this without Kristina! Thank you so much, Kris for helping me achieve my health goals. Fitting into all my clothes, getting fit and strong, having more energy are some of the other side benefits of this training. Another benefit is that now I not only have a personal trainer who looks after my health/weight goals but also have a friend whom I can talk and share things with. I look forward to a long term relationship of friendship and training with Kris.

Margie Scherk

Margie Scherk

March 2022

Through personal one-on-one virtual training sessions, Kristina has helped me improve my form and become a stronger athlete. Even with the limitations of the virtual environment, Kristina sees which muscles aren’t being used appropriately and offers the exact cues needed to help me activate them. And, despite my initial skepticism, Kristina has shown me the value of flexibility, mobility, and relaxation techniques so that stretching and breath work have become a part of my regular routine.

Victoria Gabaldon

Victoria Gabaldon

January 2022

I have been training with Kristina for almost 3 years now. We actually started in the gym, then COVID happened and it’s been virtual training to this day and it’s been amazing. Who would have thought virtual training can actually provide the same results/benefits – well almost the same as I don’t get to see Kristina in person, but the training is no less. Kristina works me hard and pushes me to a level I didn’t know I had. Her workout regimen is amazing and diverse. Thank you, Kristina for caring, for your encouragement and commitment towards my overall well being.

Loading...